Transmigration: The Little Chef Calls The Shots
Chapter 1044 - 015 Asking Around Clearly (Second Update)_2

Chapter 1044: 015 Asking Around Clearly (Second Update)_2

"Little sister, big sister and the gentleman have something to discuss, can you go play later, is that okay?" Lin Wei hurriedly took hold of Xiao Linshuang’s hand and earnestly persuaded her, but for some reason, the usually well-behaved little sister was stubbornly disobedient this time. Even Dong Qing uncharacteristically closed her mouth and kept glaring at Ma Junying.

Seeing their behavior, what could Lin Yuan not understand? She chuckled lightly and was very apologetic as she declined Ma Junying’s invitation.

Ma Junying was not an inexperienced woman like Cheng Yuexiu. Although she had not been in the Capital city for long, her particular attention to Xia Zheng meant that she had made it her business to find out about Dong Qing’s identity long ago.

Confronted with Dong Qing’s undisguised hostility, Ma Junying suddenly remembered Xia Zheng’s rascal’s smile. Indeed, like master, like servant!

"In that case, let’s catch up some other day," Ma Junying did not insist further and asked, "Miss Lin, your family suddenly moved to the Capital city. Are you staying at the General Mansion now?"

Lin Yuan’s eyebrows raised, and it seemed Ma Junying had not been ignoring what was happening around him since his arrival in the Capital city. It appeared he had already made inquiries about Xia Zheng’s identity.

"No," Lin Yuan shook her head, "I have my own residence in the Capital city, and that’s where I’m staying now."

"Oh?" When Lin Yuan mentioned she had her own residence in the Capital city, Ma Junying immediately became interested. He had always known she was wealthy, but properties in the Capital city were not something one could simply buy with money, especially considering her entire family was there, it surely wasn’t an ordinary small residence.

"Miss Lin has her own residence in the Capital city? That really makes me look at you with new eyes. Had I known earlier that you had a place to stay, I would have troubled you with a visit instead of staying in the inn, which is quite inconvenient."

So, it turned out Ma Junying was staying at an inn.

Lin Yuan covered her lips and smiled, briefly describing her current residence’s location to Ma Junying. At the end, she extended an invitation, "Young Master Ma, if you don’t mind, why not stay with us for a while? We are fellow townsmen, after all, and should look out for each other."

Lin Yuan’s mention of being townsmen, rather than friends, caused Ma Junying’s heart to sink slightly, feeling a touch of disappointment.

However, upon hearing about her residence, Ma Junying’s eyes lit up, saying in surprise, "Isn’t Yao Mansion just across the street? Isn’t that property the Third Prince’s private residence? How come Miss Lin’s family is staying there?"

Lin Yuan’s eyebrows raised, and a flash of surprise crossed her eyes. Ma Junying had openly identified that property as belonging to Zhao Hongde; it seemed he had indeed done his homework.

Seeing the dubious look on Lin Yuan’s face, Ma Junying laughed at himself and explained, "The Third Prince is in charge of the imperial examination this time, and us candidates have naturally looked into his background thoroughly."

After finishing, Ma Junying gave Lin Yuan a complex look and asked, "Miss Lin, don’t you think I’m like those vulgar people who fawn over the powerful?"

Lin Yuan was taken aback, not expecting Ma Junying to say such a thing. She quickly shook her head, "Young Master Ma worries too much, how could I think that? Knowing oneself and knowing the enemy ensures that you will not be imperiled in many battles. I believe Young Master Ma has his own profound reasons for doing so."

Profound reasons? It was nothing more than wanting to understand the preferences of the chief examiner and seeking opportunities to cater to them.

Dong Qing pursed her lips and remained silent. These kinds of things were common sights in the Capital city, and she didn’t find them objectionable, but since the person in front of her was the very individual Master Xia had specifically instructed to pay special attention to, it naturally made Dong Qing feel that everything about Ma Junying was displeasing.

Although Ma Junying knew that Lin Yuan’s words might not be genuine, he was still pleased that she hadn’t looked down on him because of it. He sighed with relief and then asked, "Oh right, didn’t you say you’re now living in the Third Prince’s house? I remember that property was given to His Highness by his maternal grandfather on his deathbed. Could it be, Xia Zheng got it for you?"

Ma Junying had made it a point to learn about the relationship between Xia Zheng and the Third Prince. Honestly, he was quite startled upon discovering their relation, having guessed that Xia Zheng was not an ordinary figure, but he hadn’t expected him to be this extraordinary!

Lin Yuan shook her head, "It’s not like that. Actually, the residence was a gift to me from the Third Prince."

What!

Ma Junying stumbled, nearly collapsing to the ground, "You, what did you say? His Highness sent it to you? Why?"

As soon as he finished the question, and before Lin Yuan could reply, Ma Junying’s face suddenly changed as he remembered the rumors he had heard at noon today. Could it be that the sworn sister the Third Prince acknowledged was none other than Lin Yuan before him?

"You, you’re the Prince’s, sworn sister?"

Watching Lin Yuan nod nonchalantly, Ma Junying felt his heart rise and fall, struggling to find the words to describe the agitated feelings of an assassin.

Earlier, while waiting for Lin Yuan at Drunken Immortal Tower, he had heard about the Third Prince having a sworn sister and thus had rushed to the place where everyone was talking, hoping to recommend himself. Unexpectedly, the news turned out to be false; no sworn sister had appeared.

By the time he returned to Drunken Immortal Tower and saw Lin Yuan, he had almost forgotten the matter. To his surprise, the honored person was none other than Lin Yuan herself!

"Hehe, haha, haha."

Ma Junying suddenly burst into laughter, leaving Lin Yuan and the others somewhat bewildered.

After he finished laughing, Ma Junying had made up his mind. If the honored person was Lin Yuan, he definitely couldn’t use any backdoor methods. He always disdained the idea of relying on a woman for advancement, let alone when it involved the woman he secretly admired?

"Now that Miss Lin has arrived in the Capital city, I must surely visit and pay my respects to your uncle and aunt another day," said Ma Junying with a smile, arranging to meet Lin Yuan later and avoiding any further mention of the matter of the sworn sister.

Lin Yuan, tacitly understanding, did not bring up anything about her older brother again. Remembering what Dong Qing had told her during dinner, she couldn’t help but ask, "Has Young Master Ma heard about the matter of Li Chang, Sir Li?"

Without stopping, Ma Junying kept walking and nodded, "I’ve heard. Sir Li was involved in corruption and bribery, and the Emperor ordered his home to be raided. Fortunately, he had the sense to repent and personally submitted a petition to confess his guilt. The merciful Emperor just dismissed him from office and spared his family’s lives, which must be credited to the virtue of his ancestors."

Lin Yuan nodded, silently praising Xia Zheng for his foresight. If Tang Qing and Zhao Hongsheng had managed to secure evidence against Li Chang, his fate would certainly have been more severe than just dismissal and a raided home.

"Have you considered taking up Li Chang’s official post after you do well in the examination?"

Lin Yuan’s direct question caught Ma Junying somewhat off guard, unsure of how to respond.

He chuckled and stopped walking, "Miss Lin speaks a bit prematurely. The examination is still several months away, and it’s uncertain whether I will do well, so how could I consider returning home to replace him?"

As Lin Yuan also stopped, Xiao Linshuang, who had been following behind out of sheer boredom, wasn’t paying attention and bumped into her sister’s waist, causing pain that made her rub her forehead and frown.

At that moment, however, Lin Yuan was too preoccupied to attend to her younger sister, smiling at Ma Junying. "Given Young Master Ma’s talents, I am certain you will excel in the exams. I believe in you."

"That’s very kind of you to believe in me," Ma Junying replied with a brightened mood. "I’ll indeed be grateful for your auspicious words. However, if I do succeed, I won’t be going back. I plan to stay in the Capital city."

Originally, he did indeed consider returning home, as his parents and little sister were there, and more importantly, so was she.

But now, since Lin Yuan had come to the Capital city, there was no longer any need for him to return.

Ma Junying’s eyes were tender as water, so compelling that one dared not look directly, for fear of being inadvertently drowned in that overwhelming tenderness, disturbing the serenity of the heart.